How to Keep Rats out of the Chicken Coop

I tried all sorts of ways in trying to keep rats out of my chicken coop as they were tunnelling their way into it at night. I tried by filling in the holes, laying poisoned meat and meal, setting traps, etc.,

Finally I found a simple and effective method to prevent the rats from coming in.

My chicken coop is 5 by 15 ft. There is a 1-in. board all around the bottom on the inside. I used wire mesh having 1/2-in. openings and formed it into the shape of a large tray with edges 6 in. high, the corners being wired, and tacked it to the boards.

This not only keeps the rats out of the chicken coop, but prevents the chickens from digging holes, thus helping the rats to enter.